First the Good news....The location is wonderful...We had unit 606 which is the top floor right above the ocean. We had beautiful views of Kamaole I which is a wonderful clean beach with soft sand and gentle waves and a decent snorkeling spot right out front. Across the street there are restaurants, convenience stores, gift shops, cafes, fast food, etc. Kihei is not an upscale area. It is more like a funky beach town, so don't expect Kaanapali-type shopping or dining. We were there with our 18 yr old son and a friend of his. We all enjoyed Moose McGillacudy's. The food was very good and the prices were great for Maui. The two bedroom, two bath unit was perfect for our needs. The property is older and a bit worn and dated, but we knew that from the previous reviews and weren't expecting the Ritz. The only negative to our unit was that every afternoon it gets BLASTED by the trade winds. It whistles through the louvered windows and hold on to the door knob or it gets ripped out of your hand!
Now the BAD news...The property management...Evidently there is a company that manages the interior and renting out of the units and another that manages the grounds and the building. I have no complaint with the former. The ladies in the office were very nice and helpful. When I made the reservation, I asked them if any construction was going on or planned. She told me nothing was planned,as far as she knew, however, they are never informed until it actually begins. The management of the building doesn't let the office know about this and the only reason I can think of is so the owners don't lose out on rentals.
When we arrived there was a sign in the window informing us that concrete chipping would be done on some lanaiis from 8:30-3:30 until further notice. So, not only did we have teeth-rattling, floor-rumbling, grinding and chipping going on for 3 days but one morning before 7:30, we had a gas-powered weed whacker below our window....and it gets WORSE, if you call getting stuck between floors of the elevator for over half an hour worse!!!! I was alone and it stopped between the 4th and 5th floors. It got quite stuffy and hot and I was a little anxious. The fire department had to be called to remove a door that had been bolted shut so the elevator repairman could get to the equipment!! After I was let out, the repairman told me that is was overheating and a default setting shuts it down. I was, also, told that he had been there 2 weeks earlier to fix a malfunctioning elevator door. It sounds like they might need to upgrade their elevator! No one in management came to check on me or apologize or anything and we were here for several more days....not a word. Annie, the resident manager, needs to be in another line of work!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Management Response
kamaolenalu, Resident Manager
(Management representative)
Aug 9, 2007
Aloha,
I am so sorry you did not enjoy your time on Maui or at the Kamaole Nalu.
For the record our elevator was not out of service or serviced two weeks before you elevator inncident.
I was at home depo and dropped everything and rushed back to the Nalu when I got the call from the elevator company.
When I returned you were in your condo and I did not want to disturb you.
I have the MFD report and the Kone Elevator report and the elevator was out of service for about 10 mintues and I am so sorry that you were inside. Our elevator permit is current and we have a our elevator inspected and maintained. I take our guests, our owners and my ohana's safety serious but as with ALL machines they do breakdown once a while.
I apoliqize for the construction work being done durning your stay but that just sometimes can't be avoided.
You might also ask the two boys in your unit about blocking the elevator door with sticks and playing tag on all floors using the elevator to do it.
I take pride in the Nalu and my job performance here. I do call Maui and the Nalu home.
Aloha,
Annie
Resident Manager
Kamaole Nalu Resort AOAO
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.